Neural diversity in the habenula

Neurons in the brains are divided into excitatory and inhibitory neurons forming complex neuronal networks. A detailed characterization of various neuronal cell types and their connections is essential to gain an understanding of how neurons communicate with each other, of how a particular part of the brain functions, and of why it is affected in disease.
The habenula is a small nuclear brain structure, which has been shown to be involved in the development of depressive disorders, but also in reward behaviour. The inability of experiencing pleasure and delight might be explained by hyperactive habenular neurons, which subsequently inhibit reward centres in the brain. Of note, neurons in the habenula have only been poorly characterized to date. By using multiple whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices we will classify habenular neurons and analyse the synaptic connections between these neurons. To the best of our knowledge a detailed characterisation of these neurons is still lacking.
This project will fill a gap and gather much needed information of the functional properties of habenular neurons, as well as how these neurons integrate in neuronal circuits. This novel information will be useful for behavioural and computational neuroscientists interested in the role of the habenula in reward behaviour; more importantly it should supply information for clinical and basic scientists intrigued to understand the cause of depressive disorders.